(TibetanReview.net, Nov05, 2018) – Seasonal border trade between Chinese ruled Tibet and India through the latter’s Lipukekh pass in Uttarakhand state for this year, which ended on Oct 31, was seen to reflect the lopsided overall trade between the two countries, leaving India with a large deficit.

The total business transactions between the two countries during the five-month border trading season were stated to total Rs 65.5 million (about US$ .91 million). Imports by Indian traders was worth Rs 55.9 million while exports by them was worth Rs 9.65 million, the PTI news agency Nov 4 quoted trade officer PS Kutiyal as saying from Dharchula.

Indian exports were stated to include commodities like tea, coffee, jaggery, sugar candy, tobacco products and cosmetics. Their imports included raw Tibetan wool, readymade garments, shoes and cements bags.

The annual border trade takes place from June to October at Taklakot mart in Purang County of Western Tibet’s Ngari Prefecture, which is home to Mt Kailash. A total of 244 Indians, including 70 traders and 174 helpers, had gone to Taklakot mart this year to do business, the report cited Kutiyal as saying.

The border trade – aimed at strengthening the economy of tribal border villages – was resumed in the year 1992 after it had ended with the Sino-India border war of 1962.

Similar seasonal border trade between the two countries take place across Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh (reopened in 1994) and Nathu La in Sikkim (reopened in 2006).